The Advantage of Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless steel cookware is well-known for its corrosion and scratch resistance. It does not rust or stain with water and durable. And it won’t have a reaction with alkaline or acidic foods. It provides a modern and attractive appearance. The benefits of it are worth considering when looking for a new pan set for your kitchen.
Stainless steel cookware is made of chromium and nickel. Most stainless steel cookware contains a sufficient amount of chromium which helps prevent further surface corrosion and block corrosion from spreading into its structure. Kitchen equipment which made of stainless steel often contains 18% of chromium with either 8% or 10% of nickel. The percentage of chromium and nickel in stainless steel cookware also refers to 18/10 or 18/8. The lower percentage of nickel content reflects the higher corrosive rate.
For example, a stainless steel pan set labeled with 18/4 or 18/2 most likely will rust, have a reaction with alkaline or acidic foods. A cookware set labeled with premium stainless steel 18/10 is considered more resilient than the set labeled with 18/8. Another thing to consider when looking for stainless steel cookware is that aluminum or copper-coated bottoms also symbolize higher quality cookware. Aluminum or copper-based stainless steel cookware will increase its performance in spreading the heat evenly. It is important to realize that high-quality stainless steel cookware improves heat conduction and can endure high heat.
The Benefits
Although it is costly when looking for a high-quality stainless steel pan set, it is still much affordable in comparison to other expensive high-end brand name cookware. On the other hand, the benefits of stainless steel cookware are such great value to think about. It is easy to care for and requires little maintenance to keep it spotless. Using soap with warm water after each use will keep it clean, or occasionally, using baking soda with warm water to polish your cookware to keep the new looking.
Stainless steel cookware is dishwasher safe. It is heavy-duty and does not stain or easily scratch. You can use it with any kind of utensils. It can last for a lifetime. Because of its high proportion of chromium, stainless steel cookware is less affected by environmental factors such as air and moisture which explain its high durable structure. Another great benefit of stainless steel cookware is that it can be used either for gas or electronic range or on the cooktop and in the oven.
Furthermore, stainless steel cookware is nonstick. With proper preparation before cooking, stainless steel cookware is just perfect nonstick cookware like many others on the line. To prevent stickiness, place the empty pan on medium heat until you can feel the hot air when putting the hand above it, then put enough oil to cover the base and reduce the heat before cooking. In addition, stainless steel cookware provides a modern and attractive appearance for your kitchen with its sparkle exterior, which makes cooking an enjoyable entertaining.
Conclusion
Overall, stainless steel cookware is durable, corrosive and scratch resistance. It will not alter the flavor or color of the food and is easy to maintain and affordable. It can be used for any kind of stovetop and has nonstick feature. Having a high-quality pan set in the kitchen not only it provides a great cooking result both in the taste and presentation, but also it makes cooking a pleasurable experience. If you are looking for a long term value cookware set, consider looking for high-quality stainless steel cookware.
How To Choose Stainless Steel Cookware
What factors would you look at when thinking of buying a new piece or set of stainless steel cookware? There are some suggestions for buyers to consider.
Look for 18/10 Stainless Steel Cookware
To maximize the lifespan of the cookware, look for stainless steel pot or pan that is more resistant based on the content of nickel. 18/10 stainless steel cookware means it contains 18% chromium with 10% nickel; 18/8 stainless steel means it contains 18% chromium with 8% nickel; and so on. The lower nickel content reflects the higher corrosive rate, less durable cookware. It is recommended to look for 18/10 stainless steel pots and pans when shopping for a new stainless steel piece or set.
Good Heat Conduction
Another important fact when choosing stainless steel cookware is to look for the pots and pans that have good heat conduction. High-quality stainless steel cookware is often coated with aluminum or copper at the bottom to make the heat spread evenly. This coated layer enhances the pot or pan’s heat conductivity. To determine if the pot or pan has good heat conduction, look for the thickness of the bottom which indicates the piece is built with good heat conduction. For the aluminum-coated bottom, looking for the pot or pan with 3 mm to 5 mm bottom thickness. For the copper-coated bottom, look for the one with 1 mm to 2 mm disc thickness.
Aluminum vs. Copper Base
You would also need to determine if you would like to have aluminum-base or copper-base stainless steel cookware. Aluminum-base takes a longer time to heat up but retains cooking temperature longer while copper-base is quickly in heating up and cooling down. So depends on what you’re cooking and your preference, choose one that fits your best interest.
Tri-Ply
If you’d like to upgrade your cookware to tri-ply, you can add this to the list when looking for your new stainless pots and pans. Ply refers to the layer 
of metal used to construct the cookware. The most popular tri-ply stainless steel is stainless steel with aluminum. In this type, the aluminum core is sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel which provides better heat conduction and durability. It also has a classy look and mirrored finish. Keep in mind that the more layers of metals in the cookware, the thicker and heavier the pot or pan is, and the more expensive the price it tends to be.
Not many factors to look at when choosing new stainless steel cookware but if these suggestions are considered you’ll be certain to bring home a good piece or set. The very least is to look for 18/10 stainless steel and make sure the pots and pans are built with good heat conduction. Then decide if you’d like aluminum or copper base to fit your cooking preference. Finally, play with the thought of tri-ply pots and pans would be necessary or not. Doesn’t matter what brand name you’re looking at, if the pots and pans have all these factors, they’re good pots and pans.
Tips in Buying Stainless Steel Cookware Sets
Stainless steel cookware sets have been popular for many years already. It is common to see these in households today. Stainless steel is an alloy of metals such as steel, carbon, and chromium. It is called stainless because of the fact that it is able to resist corrosion. One of the reasons why people prefer to buy it for their kitchen is because it is cheaper than other cookware that is made of cast iron or copper. Because it is stainless steel, it is also scratch-resistant which means that it will look good and shiny for months and perhaps years.
It also does not react with food which is definitely a good thing. However, it is important to know that stainless steel cookware sets are not good at conducting heat. That is why you should choose those which contain aluminum or copper as these elements help prevent having hot spots on your pan while you are cooking. Here are some of the useful tips in buying stainless steel cookware sets.
When you are shopping for stainless steel cookware, you should consider buying from brands that are known for the quality of their products. Kitchenaid, Calphalon and Cuisinart are some of the most popular kitchen equipment brands. If you are unsure as to which brand you should buy, you should read reviews written by people who have tried using the products you are interested in.
It’s An Investment
While it is understandable that people would want to get it at a lower price as much as possible, it is important to keep in mind that buying cookware sets is an investment. If you want to be able to use it for many years, you should not hesitate to spend on it. Buying stainless steel cooking pans per piece is cheaper but if you will be able to use all the pieces anyway, you should consider getting a set.
You should consider the thickness of the disc. The thicker the disc is, the better it is in distributing heat. If you are particular about the cookware’s heat distribution, you may want to get clad metal pans. These pans are stainless steel both on the outside and the inside. It also has an internal aluminum core on the bottom and the sides of the pan. These provide good heat conduction and work best when used over low or medium heat.
Set a Budget
It is best if you determine how much you are willing to spend for it so that you can check out cookware sets that are within that price range. If you really want to get it at a lower price, you should wait for holidays such as Black Friday or Christmas as retail stores offer huge discounts on their products during these times. You should also check out online stores as you might be able to find good deals for stainless steel cookware sets.
When you are shopping for stainless steel cookware sets, you should definitely take your time. It is advisable to know more about the product before deciding on whether to get it or not. It is also important that you are able to properly take care of your cookware so that you can use it for years and be able to enjoy your cooking experience.
Stainless Steel Cookware Care
Daily Upkeep
One of the keys to keeping stainless steel looking great is to not let grime build up on the surface in the first place. Surprisingly, stainless steel is rather porous, and greasy, oily substances can quickly stain it. To prevent this, just give your appliances a daily wipe-down with a clean, soft cloth (an old t-shirt works perfectly, as does a lint-free microfiber cloth) and warm water. Dampen the cloth in the warm water, wipe the entire appliance down, and then follow up by drying it off with a clean towel.
Finger Prints
Stainless steel seems to attract fingerprints the way ice cream trucks seem to attract every kid in a ten-block radius. Luckily, they’re easy to remove. Simply use your favorite window cleaner (such as Windex) and a clean, soft cloth. Spray the cleaner on the fingerprints, let it sit a few seconds, and wipe with the cloth. Goodbye, fingerprints!
Minor Grime
Most of the grime your stainless appliances will acquire will be food and grease. The perfect cleaner? Liquid dish soap. Simply mix a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent into some warm water. And use a clean soft cloth to wash the appliance down. The dish detergent is gentle enough not to harm the stainless, but it’s grease-cutting properties are perfect for removing grime. Follow up by rinsing the entire appliance with clean water to avoid soap residue. And then dry with a clean towel.
Additional Tips
Never, ever use abrasive cleansers, scrubbing brushes, steel wool, or scrubber pads on stainless steel appliances. These materials will scratch the appliance fairly easily.
No matter which cleaning method you’re using, be sure to follow the “grain” of the stainless steel, which is the directions the lines run in.
Keep your stainless steel shining by regularly applying one of the many stainless steel polishes available on the market.
If you should happen to scratch your stainless steel appliance, there are products on the market you can use to fill the scratches. Most home centers and hardware stores should carry these products. And if you’re unsure, be sure to call the manufacturer of your particular appliance for their recommendations.
With these tips, your stainless steel will shine for years.
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